Consider staff recommendation to approve the Conservation Measures memorandum to inform the EAHCP Incidental Take Permit Renewal.
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RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the Implementing Committee approve the Conservation Measures memorandum to inform the EAHCP Incidental Take Permit Renewal and to (1) consider the revised Conservation Measures text and framework as a starting point for drafting the renewed EAHCP chapters, (2) continue to consider the Comments for Consideration in the EAHCP renewal process as indicated in the memorandum, and (3) continue to consider the comments received on the draft memorandum not yet addressed, as indicated in Appendix 1.
SUMMARY:
The Conservation Measures memorandum summarizes proposed changes and potential updates to the Conservation Strategy of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). The measures and framework are based on the Conservation Measures Subcommittee Report with additional edits and comments from ICF, EAHCP staff, Implementing, Stakeholder, and Science Committee members, and USFWS. Appendix 1 contains edits and comments received from Implementing, Stakeholder, and Science Committee members.
The Analyze and Sign-off Phase of the Permit Renewal process examines major components of the EAHCP (e.g., Covered Activities, Covered Species, Biological Goals and Objectives, Conservation Measures) and summarizes potential changes and recommendations in technical memoranda developed by the ICF Project Team. Memorandums are reviewed by EAHCP staff, Implementing, Stakeholder, and Science Committee members, and USFWS. Recommended changes and unresolved comments will be considered as text is developed for each chapter of the HCP. More information is available at <https://www.eahcprenewal.org/>.